senator bobby zirkin Archives

Maryland Legislature Overrides Governor Veto, Decriminalizes Cannabis Paraphernalia

January 21, 2016

The Maryland House and Senate voted 86-55 and 29-17 today to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of Senate Bill 517, to decriminalize cannabis paraphernalia.

The proposal, introduced by Senator Bobby Zirkin (D-Baltimore County), removes criminal penalties for the possession of cannabis paraphernalia, such as pipes, bongs and grinders. Governor Hogan vetoed this common sense measure in May, after it was approved 32-13 in the Senate and 83-53 in the House of Delegates.

The approval of this new law comes after the state’s adoption of a 2014 policy that removes criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of cannabis, while leaving in place penalties for cannabis paraphernalia.

Maryland Lawmakers Approve Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis Paraphernalia

April 12, 2015April 11, 2015

Maryland’s House of Delegates has approved a proposal to decriminalize the possession of cannabis paraphernalia. The vote was 84 to 52.

In 2014, Maryland lawmakers approved a proposal – which took effect in September – that decriminalized the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis, making it no longer a criminal offense, rather than an arrestable misdemeanor as it was before. However, a loophole in the law kept cannabis paraphernalia illegal, with those caught in possession charged with a misdemeanor.

Maryland Senate Gives Preliminary Approval to Cannabis Decriminalization

March 12, 2014

Maryland’s Senate gave preliminary approval today to a proposal decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis. The measure is now set for one final vote in the Senate, which could come as soon as tomorrow. Its passage in the Senate will send it to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Under the proposal – Senate Bill 364 – the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis would no longer be a criminal penalty associated with jail time; instead, it would become a simple $100 ticket.